What is Cat Dandruff?
Cat dandruff is most commonly known as cat dander and is seen as white flakes in the fur of your cat. These flakes or dander can cause allergies in humans. This dandruff can occur in a majority of cats especially with certain species.
The age and weight of your cat can cause him/her to have dandruff. If your cat is older they might not have the range of motion to reach certain parts of their body while grooming. The same is true with an overweight cat who may not be able to reach the spot by their tail. While there is not much you can do to fix the age of your cat besides trying a new diet to help with joint movement, there is something you can do about your cat’s weight. Less fatty food can be fed to your cat or he/she can be fed less frequently. These things may decrease your cat’s weight, allow them a greater range of motion and therefore when grooming is occurring your cat can reach their entire body lessening their dandruff.
Dry skin in cats can be caused by a few things. If it is winter it is likely that your cat has seasonal dry skin, caused by the dry air, just as you may have. This can be solved by getting a dehumidifier or trying to keep your cat away from your heating vents as this can cause dry skin. If your cat does not drink a lot of water then it is possible that he/she has dry skin from lack of water. This can be fixed by giving your cat wet food from which their body will absorb the liquid. A diet with food rich in omega -3, a.k.a. fish oil can also be used to combat cat dandruff. And always remember that a good brushing can always help to sweep the oils throughout the fur of your pet. Pet dander is something that can be quite annoying while trying to clean or keep a tidy house. There are, however, remedies and for your cat’s sake, and yours it is vital that you try to stop dandruff.
Cat Dandruff Symptoms
Itching, flaking, and white or grayish colored scales are signs of cat dandruff. Cat dandruff is caused by many things. It could be a lack of fatty acids in their diet, poor grooming, too many baths, or even just dry skin. Some possible treatments include feeding your cat a diet rich in fatty acid. Most experts recommend that one should buy a name brand food product and not a cheaper store brand.
One you might try is Iam’s, it is formulated especially for tricky dandruff issues. Another solution may be to feed your pet an omega fatty acid supplement with his or her regular food. Another simple cure is to avoid bathing your cat too frequently. It is recommended that your pet is bathed only when truly necessary, especially during periods when dry skin can be evident. Grooming and brushing your kitty cat will help to remove some of the scales and relieve some of the itching associated with them. Increasing the humidity levels within your home will likely help to relieve some of the problems. You should always check your pet for parasites which may be contributing to the dandruff problems, if parasites are causing dandruff you will need to treat each animal in the home.
